Press Releases

Researchers at Clearwater Marine Aquarium have published a scientific article titled Nesting Trends of Sea Turtles in North and Mid Pinellas County, Florida, USA, Over Three Decades,* analyzing data from 1990 through 2022 to identify trends in loggerhead sea turtle nesting numbers, nesting , and hatching success on Pinellas County beaches.

Experience a musical evening to remember with a Dueling Pianos performance at Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Friday, Dec. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) and Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute in partnership with the Belize Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Relations broke ground on CMA’s second manatee rehabilitation center this year – this one a new Belize Marine Rescue & Educational Center, on Dec. 11.

Twelve cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles made their way to Florida today, landing at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) in a collaborative effort to save the lives of the critically endangered sea turtles.

Bring the whole family to celebrate the holiday season at Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Breakfast with Santa, Sunday Dec. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Enjoy a memorable morning filled with holiday spirit, delicious food, festive crafts and a chance to meet Santa himself. Whether you’re crafting ornaments, sipping hot cocoa, or taking photos with Santa, there’s holiday cheer for everyone.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium released two sea turtles, Odessa and Philly, Thursday morning at Fred Howard Park after they were found out of their natural habitat swimming in ditches.

Researchers with Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) have sighted the first identified North Atlantic right whale mom and calf on Dec. 1. Right whale Catalog #2413 ‘Nauset’ and calf, were sighted just over 5 miles off Sapelo Island, GA. Catalog #2413 is 31 years old and this is her fifth documented calf. 

Join Clearwater Marine Aquarium for an exclusive screening of the highly acclaimed PBS docuseries, “Hope in the Water,” followed by a panel discussion and reception at CMA on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The first North Atlantic right whale of the 2024-2025 calving season was sighted in the Southeast U.S. on Wednesday, Nov. 20. ‘Black Heart,’ ID Catalog #3540 was sighted approximately two nautical miles east of High Hills, part of Cape Lookout National Seashore, N.C., by the North Carolina Early Warning System (NCWS) survey team from Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI). Black Heart is approximately 19 years old and is recorded as having one calf in the past.

The sea turtles that had to be relocated from Clearwater Marine Aquarium after Hurricane Helene have now returned to CMA.